Snowshoe Tracks
Author’s Note: The snowshoes pictured here are my dad’s vintage pair. He made them in Ranger School during his time at Wanakena. He graduated from Ranger School in 1961, two years before I was born. They are still sturdy, solid and strong. I have taken great care to maintain them. They hang from their own special hook on my wall. Every time I “click in” and cut a new track through fresh fallen snow, my dad is there with me. His pair of hand-crafted shoes guides my life’s path, provides solid footing beneath me, and ensures I have a good set of tracks so no matter how deep into snow drifted wilderness my adventures may take me, I can always safely find my way home.
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Those who edit their tracks
Risk losing their way
In life’s snowdrift wilderness
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Those who mark
A good solid trail
Through time’s snow
Will remember life’s route
And find their way home
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Until Our Trails Cross Again:
ADKO
About The Author
rdmonroe5
Lifelong NYS resident. Raised in Saranac Lake. Cornell graduate(ROTC). Army veteran, Airborne/Ranger qualified, 10th Mtn Div, stints in Honduras and with JTF VI. 3rd degree Black Belt; 3x cancer survivor; published writer with several featured stories in Adirondack Life Magazine. Residing in Watertown NY with wife Robin & our 3 adult children. Loving Life. Living in the Day I am in.
We need integrity now more than ever…Dedication towards building our own steadfast paths, both literal–as shown in the photographs above–and figuratively. This was a much needed respite from the trendy, mass-media-fueled world for me on this holiday. Thank you, Richard.
Good morning, JB. Thank you. Just as a side note, that pair of snowshoes are my dad’s vintage Ranger School snowshoes. He made them during his tenure as a Forest Ranger student at Wanakena. He graduated from Ranger School in ’61, so his pair of snowshoes are two years older than I am. They are still in good shape. I take special care to maintain them. They hang from their own special hook on my wall. Every time I “click in” and cut a new track in fresh fallen snow, my dad is there with me, guiding my life’s path, ensuring I have solid footing beneath me, and a clear set of tracks to ensure that I safely find my way home. Thought you might appreciate that. Have a great day, Dick (I happily answer to Richard, it’s my given name, but most of my friends call me Dick. My mom sometimes calls me Richard- “Richard T. Monroe, you get in here RIGHT NOW!”) but when she does, I know I’m in some REALLY big trouble.) In other words, I get called “Richard” a lot.
Yes, the backstory was much appreciated! Thanks, Dick. Your still somewhat mysterious online friend, JB. (I’m much less mysterious in real life)
I actually went back in and added it to the post. So it’s now the front story.
I like this – a lot!
Aunt Susie